building a USB DAC

[lost eden]

I want to build a USB DAC to replace my media computer's cheap SoundBlaster. I don't see the point in buying a modern SoundBlaster with umpteen channels when I only use stereo & I can't afford one of those nice M-Audio soundcards.

Requirements;

• cheap
• relatively simple to build (I can solder - I've built a CMoy, but I'm not hugely experienced)
• must sound better than a cheap SoundBlaster
• must be completely Linux compatible
• all components must be easily available in the UK - no special PCBs only sold in the US thanks!

So can anybody direct me to any good guides for building such a thing?

 

[Cat1yst]

I want to build a USB DAC to replace my media computer's cheap SoundBlaster. I don't see the point in buying a modern SoundBlaster with umpteen channels when I only use stereo & I can't afford one of those nice M-Audio soundcards.

Requirements;

• cheap
• relatively simple to build (I can solder - I've built a CMoy, but I'm not hugely experienced)
• must sound better than a cheap SoundBlaster
• must be completely Linux compatible
• all components must be easily available in the UK - no special PCBs only sold in the US thanks!

So can anybody direct me to any good guides for building such a thing?

Alien Dac seems right up your street...Maybe the monica dac.....and if you can stretch 200$ a Opus Dac

There you have it

 

[lost eden]

Alien Dac seems right up your street...Maybe the monica dac.....and if you can stretch 200$ a Opus Dac

There you have it

No, $200/£100 is far too much, as I could buy an M-Audio 2496 for $100/£50. I'll search for those other 2 though.

Edit: looks like the Alien DAC is indeed right up my street, though I doubt that my soldering skills are up for surface mount ICs

 

[Cat1yst]

Thats a shame...the Opus is highly regarded...but you might find a used Alien for 50$ around head-fi's for sale/trade forums


and sodering the DAC chip is a pain in the arse from what ive heard